Device for aiding cure of stammering



No. 625,879. Patented my 30, I899.

n. B. a. GARDNER.

DEVICE FOR AIDING CUBE 0F STAMMEBING.

(Application filed June 1, 1897.) (No Model.)

WITNESSES:

A TTORIIEY THE NORRIS PETERS ca. PHDfOLIYHO wAsumaToN, c. c.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

RICHARD B. GILPIN GARDNER, OF PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA.

DEVICE FOR AIDING CURE OF STAMMERING.

sPEeIFIcATIoN forming part of Letters Patent No. 625,879, dated May 30, 1899. A nman filed June 1,1897. Serial No. 638,885. (No model.)

T0 at whom it may concern Be it known that I, RICHARD B. GILPIN GARDNER, a citizen of the United States, residing at the city of Philadelphia, in the county of Philadelphia and State of Pennsylvania, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Devices to Aid in the Cure of Stammering, of which the following is a specification.

The principal object of my invention is to provide a mechanical device adapted to be applied to the tongue to aid in the cure of stammering, stuttering, or impediments of speech.

My invention, stated in general terms, consists of a single metal device so constructed as to be formedinto slitted end plates, whereof one is adapted to rest above and whereof the other beneath the tongue, and a rear narrow bent shank or intermediate connecting-strip integrally formed with said plates to extend around the front of the tongue and means, such as a thumb or adjusting screw, engaging the bent shank or connecting-strip for permitting of the contracting or expanding of the slitted end plates, and thereby to regulate the pressure of said plates adapted to span or encircle the tongue from above and beneath the same.

The nature and characteristic features of my invention will be more fully understood from the following description, taken in connection with the accompanying drawings, forming part hereof, in which- Figure 1 is'a perspective view of the device embodying main features of my invention. Fig. 2 is a side elevation of the same. Fig. 3 is a plan View thereof, and Figs. 4 and 5 are plan views illustrating slight modifications of my said invention.

Referring to the drawings, the end slitted tongue-plates A and A and the intermediate shank or connecting-strip B are formed integral one with the other. The slitted tongueplate A is adapted to overlie the tongue, while the slitted tongue-plate A is adapted to rest under the tongue and is formed with a circular or concave notch a for engaging the lingual frenum of the tongue. These end tongue-plates A and A are each provided with slits a and a, extending either in a straight line directly across the tongue-plate,

as illustrated in Fig. 3, in a straight line 1ongitudinally of the device, as illustrated in the modification of my invention in Fig. 4, or transversely in substantially the are of a circle, as illustrated in the modification in Fig. 5.

In the shank or connecting-piece B, to one side of the center, is an orifice 17, while to the other side of the center is a lug 17', having a threaded orifice b. The shank or piece B,

shaped, for example, as illustrated in the drawings, is bent into the position illustrated in Figs. 1 and 2. A thumb or adjusting screw B, the shank of which is somewhat smaller than the orifice 17, extends through said orifice, and the end thereof engages the threaded Orifice 19 I The openings 0, arranged about the periphery of the end plates A and A, are provided for the purpose of attaching strips of leather, paper, or other light and partially-resisting material to the under side of each plate when the device has been caused to assume the shape and is in the condition illustrated in Fig. 1 to act as a cushion between the metal and the mucous membrane of the-tongue.

The practical operation of the device is as follows: The device, as illustrated in Fig. 1, is inserted into the mouth'with the tongue between the upper plate or tongue-piece A and the lower plate or tongue-piece A. By

manipulating the thumb or adjusting screw B the plates are approximated, and the desired degree or nicety of pressure upon the encircled or spanned tongue muscles can thereby be secured, as will be readily understood.

The practical use of the device has demonstrated its utility, for in practice as a specialist it has been applied to patients afflicted with stammering with very gratifying results. WVhen the device is applied to the tongue, the inherent difficulty of speaking and clear enunciation (which even one not thus afflicted would experience) due to the unaccustomed weight upon the tongue naturally compels slow utterance and forces the wearer to make an unusual effort to en-unciate distinctly, so as to be understood at all.

Having thus described the nature and object of my invention, what I claim as new, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is-

1. A device to prevent stammering, &c.,

consisting of a narrow shank or piece provided at each end with a slitted plate, Whereof one is adapted to overlie the tongue and whereof the other is adapted to underlie the tongue, one of said plates provided with a concaved notch and a set or adjusting screw extending through the shank or connectingpieoe of said end slitted tongue-plates for con tracting or expanding the said plates, substantially as and for the purposes described.

2. A device to prevent stammering, &c., consisting of a bent shank or connecting-piece provided at each end with a slitted plate, whereof one is adapted to overlie the tongue and whereof the other is adapted to underlie the tongue, the lower one of said plates having a concave notch in the front thereof, openings about the periphery of said plates on one side to secure flexible or similar material thereto and a set or adjusting screw extending through said shank or connecting-piece for contracting or expanding the bent members thereof and thereby the end slitted tongue-plates of the device, substantially as and for the purposes described.

In testimony of which invention I have hereunto set my hand.

RICHARD l3. GILPIN GARDNER.

Witn esses:

GEo. O. BowKER, S. P. ROTAN. 

